Having PACs...is it safe to drink non alcoholic beer?

Posted by Love for camping @muppet7777, Apr 9 2:54pm

I started getting isolated PACs out of the blue 2 months ago. Roughly 2% burden. Last weekend i went out for supper and had 1 beer. About 2 hours later my heartrate was about 105 for about 5-10 minutes. Was this because of the beer i drank 2 hours prior OR my anxiety worrying if the beer would be dangerous for me? Is it safe to consume non alcoholic beer with PACs?
Thanking you in advance...

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gloaming | @gloaming | Apr 10 11:49am

Alcohol is a toxin. As we advance in our learning, some, not all, some...in the science and medical communities are suggesting that no amount of alcohol is safe. Now, we've been drinking wine and beer for two millennia, probably three times that long now, and most who drink it smart live long and happy lives. However, the heart may want a word or two...if you know what I mean.

There is such a thing as 'holiday heart', a phenomenon ER physicians and cardiologists know only too well. It's from holiday binge drinking where the patient is brought in with tachyarrhythmia, often full-blown atrial fibrillation (AF). With some fluids, some electrolytes, sobering up, and an electrical cardioversion, the vast majority of patients are sent home in normal sinus and just a little bit wiser...hopefully. So, alcohol does play a role in heart behaviour. Maybe not non-alcoholic beer, which I now have at times without adverse effects. I drink alcohol rarely, twice a month. I still have a belt of scotch about every three months (I was never big on alcohol, but I do like scotch and beer). My heart rate always rises about 10 BPM within 15 minutes of ingestion, and it will stay there for two hours or more. So, for me at least, alcohol does not have a salutary effect on my heart. I can drink all the non-alcohol beer I want.

Love for camping | @muppet7777 | Apr 10 12:45pm

Thank you for your reply. Ive been abstaining from beer since PAC diagnosis. So i did buy a 3.5% beer to try tomorrow yo see what happens (hopefully nothing). I asked my family doctor to refer me for an echocardiogram. He will do that. Then he said that a beer wont hurt me, just dont go crazy. I believe this entire issue for me was brought on by my terrible health anxiety. Its a terrible loop 😔

gloaming | @gloaming | Apr 10 3:02pm

In reply to @muppet7777 "Thank you for your reply. Ive been abstaining from beer since PAC diagnosis. So i did..." + (show)

@muppet7777 Unless you have a new sensitivity to alcohol, I really don't think a beer will hurt. Your heart will certainly be the arbiter of our discussion, but I have the odd beer with friends, and even a glass of wine with my meal with them, same night. Elevated HR is my only symptom, that and a little buzz since I don't drink much alcohol at all....which is nice. 🙂

Love for camping | @muppet7777 | Apr 10 3:15pm

I have read that it could take up to four hours after a drink to exhibit faster heart rate. I dont want to deal with that at bedtime so i will crack that puppy open tomorrow afternoon. Wish me luck! Lol

chickenfarmer | @chickenfarmer | Apr 11 8:11am

Alcohol has always been cited as a risk factor for AF along with sleep apnea, overweight, high blood pressure, sex, age et al. I have experimented with alcohol over the years since developing AF in 2016. I've never seen a direct correlation. Like others I enjoy my occasional beer and wine with dinner. There may be a long term effect of alcohol on AF but it's not a trigger for me.

Love for camping | @muppet7777 | Apr 11 8:53am

Thank you for your comment 🙂. As of now i have only PACs, i cant imagine having to deal with Afib too. My anxiety is going crazy with every beat of my heart. My doctor sent in a referral for an ECHO.
Im going to have a beer after lunch and try TRY not to let my anxieties ruin it for me. Thank u for your time.

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